A rchive Date
[ 13-01-2004 ]
Category
[ International Relations ]
sub-Categoy
[ Mexico ]
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[http://www.canoe.ca/Canoe/canoecnews.html
Mexico wants defence pact
By LISA SCHMIDT-- Canadian Press
Friday, Feb. 22, 2002
OTTAWA (CP) - Mexico would favour a continental approach to border security issues, extending a North American partnership that already operates at a trade level, the Mexican foreign secretary said Friday.
"We would like to...continentalize as much as possible," Jorge Castaneda said in a briefing with reporters Friday morning "We believe that we can more effectively address security concerns in North America together than separately."
Security and border issues have come under increased scrutiny after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, with some proposing the idea of a North America security perimeter. Canada has remained cool to the idea, citing sovereignty concerns.
Castaneda said a co-operative approach is particularly important for Mexico, as the country lacks the resources and technology to match Canada or the United States. "The more we do together from that point of view, the better it is, we think," he said.
Castaneda said it's easier to screen and defend at points of entry to the broader North American area than to focus on border crossings between the three countries. "We would like to go as far as possible in this area, but of course that depends on the Canadians and the Americans. It's not just in our hands."
Castaneda met Friday with Canada's Foreign Minister Bill Graham to discuss a number of issues, including trade, human rights and Canada's participation in the Monterey summit on financing for development.
Graham agreed there may be opportunities for Canada to team up with Mexico. "We have our own distinctive relationships with the United States," Graham said after their meeting. "I think we do have an opportunity to have a frank dialogue and I think by working together...we can bring our common concerns to the attention of the Americans."
Castaneda said the North American Free Trade Agreement can serve as a vehicle to harmonize in areas other than trade. "Since NAFTA and from a security perspective there are issues that we can very effectively deal with on a tri-lateral manner. And we have been pushing for this and we have encountered a receptive ear both in Canada and the States," he said. "We think now is good time to move forward."
A stronger Mexican economy and liberalization with the election of President Vicente Fox in December 2000 have created increased interest among Canadian companies. More than one million Canadians travel to Mexico each year.
On a trade level, Canada has been promoting several areas of interest including energy, mining and agriculture as well as medical products and health care.
Canadian direct investment in Mexico is estimated to have reached $3.5 billion in 2000, mostly in manufacturing, financial services and mining. Mexican investment in Canada has also grown steadily from a smaller base, to $630 million in 2000.
 World Fact Book (CIA)]
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